Councils will be able to divert health money into cycle lanes

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Councils will be free to spend their health budgets on cycling infrastructure and training when controversial reforms come into effect next April.

The disclosure that local authorities, which no longer receive specific road-safety grants from the Government, will be able to invest money earmarked for health on promoting cycling has been welcomed by transport groups but opposed by some health workers.

Norman Baker, the Transport Minister, and Anna Soubry, the Public Health Minister, told The Times that they would have no objection to money being diverted.

Their comments came as the medicines watchdog issued its first guidance to councils, schools and companies to promote cycling and walking as a way of improving public health.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence called for councils to put cyclists and pedestrians at the heart of transport investment and to tackle congested roads and speeding which put people off cycling. It said that inactivity was as big a health risk as smoking. From April, councils will receive billions of pounds of funding and a legal responsibility for public health.

Mr Baker said: “It seems to me, if somewhere has a public health agenda to pursue, if they can get more people cycling and walking that is a good outcome for them. I do not think I would be worried about that. There is an issue about ring-fencing generally. We like councils to make their own decisions.”

Ms Soubry added: “I do not want to be prescriptive about these things.” The two ministers, appearing at a conference promoting active travel, said that it was for local authorities to make decisions for local people.

An official from the Department of Health said that it was a “no brainer” for more money to be spent on things such as cycling and walking to prevent ill health. At present just 4 per cent of the health budget goes on prevention.

David Pencheon, director of the NHS sustainable development unit, said that the NHS was “essentially a rescue service”, and that it spent a lot of time treating preventable diseases. “I think the most important step is for doctors to make the case loudly that these are important things to do.”

Other healthcare professionals were wary of councils, whose incomes have been cut, spending health budgets on other areas.

“That is a risk, definitely,” said Dr John Middleton, vice president of the Faculty of Public Health.

Cycle groups welcomed the move. Gordon Seabright, chief executive of CTC cycle organisation, said: “I would of course be in favour of any increase in investment in cycling. What I would say is it is not just about infrastructure. There might be more scope to invest in changing the way people behave.” David Cameron and Nick Clegg will publish their vision for cycling in the new year.

The Government yesterday pledged £20 million for infrastructure, including rebuilding dangerous junctions and installing cycle facilities.This is on top of £30 million promised to tackle the most dangerous junctions following The Times’s campaign.

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More money could also be spent on cycle training schemes run by Bikeability

November 30 2012 Andrew Milligan/PA

More money could also be spent on cycle training schemes run by Bikeability